Dahlia plant named &#39;Peach Flamingo&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘Peach Flamingo’ that is distinguishable by its naturally branched plant habit with multiple basal branches and lateral branches, markedly dentate compound leaves, and large peach-colored cactus type flowers, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Dahlia variabilis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Peach Flamingo’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of dahliagrown for use in mixed combinations, beds and the landscape. The newvariety is known botanically as Dahlia variabilis and will be referredto hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Peach Flamingo’.

The genus Dahlia is in the family Compositae. The flower of ‘PeachFlamingo’ is classified as a Cactus-type inflorescence whose ray flowers(appearing as petals) are rolled for approximately half of their lengthand are flat at the base. The ray flowers are arranged in whorlssurrounding a central cluster of disc florets.

The inventor's Dahlia breeding program was commenced in 2007 inCommentry in central France. The objective of the breeding program is tocombine certain desirable commercial characteristics including largecactus-type flowers with many petals, decorative foliage, novel colorsand color combinations and a naturally dwarf and branching habit whicheliminates the necessity to apply chemical growth regulators or repeatedmanual pinching.

The inventor's breeding stock consists of an isolated plot of dahliavarieties (named and unnamed) which have been selected or raised by theinventor from previous generations. The inventor allows open pollinationof the breeding stock, but positions possible parents in particularproximities in order to increase the opportunity for desirable crosses.The potential parent varieties are planted in May of each year and seedis harvested and stored in October and November of the same year. Seedsare sown in March of the following year, planted into the open ground inJune and evaluated and, if very promising, set aside in August. Thoseselections which the inventor considers worthy of introduction aremultiplied in the fall of the year of selection in the inventor's tissueculture laboratory. Typically, from sowing 2,500 harvested seeds,approximately 5 seedlings will be put forward for commercial performancetrials and potential introduction.

‘Peach Flamingo’ arose from the breeding program described above and wasselected by the inventor in August 2012. The inventor selected ‘PeachFlamingo’ for its large peach-colored cactus-type flowers which areborne on sturdy and naturally branching plants.

The parents of ‘Peach Flamingo’ are unknown seedlings or varieties ofcactus-type dahlias.

The first asexual reproduction of ‘Peach Flamingo’ was conducted in fall2012 using micro cuttings in the inventor's laboratory in Commentry,France. Subsequent asexual propagation was carried out by stem cuttingsat the inventor's nursery starting in April 2013. Since that time undercareful observation, the distinguishing characteristics have beendetermined stable, uniform, and to be reproduced true to type insubsequent generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘PeachFlamingo’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Peach Flamingo’ fromall other existing varieties of Dahlia known to the inventor. ‘PeachFlamingo’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

1. ‘Peach Flamingo’ exhibits naturally branched plant habit withmultiple basal branches and lateral branches.

2. ‘Peach Flamingo’ bears markedly dentate compound leaves.

3. ‘Peach Flamingo’ bears large cactus-type flowers which are peach incolor.

4. ‘Peach Flamingo’ is grown for use in mixed combinations, beds and thelandscape.

5. ‘Peach Flamingo’ blooms from summer until fall.

6. ‘Peach Flamingo’ grows to 40 cm to 50 cm in height and 40 cm to 50 cmin width after one growing season.

7. ‘Peach Flamingo’ is hardy to USDA Zone 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs labeled FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustratethe overall appearance of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘Peach Flamingo’showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible to obtain incolored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differfrom the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describes the actual colors of the new Dahlia variety named‘Peach Flamingo’. The photographs were made from digital photographs ofplants grown outdoors in Commentry, France.

FIG. 1 depicts the entire plant in bloom showing the overall appearanceof ‘Peach Flamingo’ with typical bloom, foliage and habit grown in anoutdoor nursery.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of a flower of ‘Peach Flamingo’

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Dahliacultivar named ‘Peach Flamingo’. Observations, measurements, values andcomparisons were collected during April and May 2015 in Santa Barbara,Calif. from 2-liter container plants. Color determinations were made inaccordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart fromLondon England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. Growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification:    -   -   Family.—Compositae.        -   Genus and species.—Dahlia variabilis.        -   Denomination.—‘Peach Flamingo’.        -   Common name.—Dahlia.-   Parentage: ‘Peach Flamingo’ is a seedling selection made from plants    grown from seed which resulted from the open-pollination of unknown    and unnamed parent seedlings retained from previous generations in    the breeding program.-   Plant:    -   -   Propagation method.—Tissue culture, cuttings, tubers.        -   Rooting system.—Fine and fibrous.        -   Tuber shape.—Fusiform.        -   Tuber size.—10 cm average.        -   Tuber color.—165D.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Habit.—Upright habit.        -   Use.—For use in mixed combinations, beds and the landscape.        -   Type.—Perennial in climate zones 9 and above; annual            elsewhere.        -   Dimensions.—40 cm to 50 cm in height and 40 cm to 50 cm in            width.        -   Cultural requirements.—Grow in full sun with regular water,            and well-draining potting soil.        -   Pest susceptibility.—Susceptible to aphids.        -   Disease susceptibility.—Susceptible to mildew in highly            humid conditions.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 9.-   Stem and basal branches:    -   -   Basal branching habit.—Naturally occurring (unpinched) basal            branches with lateral branches.        -   Basal branches.—Number: 3 to 5 Dimensions: 45 cm in length            and 0.4 cm in width Shape: Cylindrical Surface: Glabrous            Internode length (average): 7 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Dimensions: 45 cm in length and 0.4 cm in            width Shape: Cylindrical Surface: Glabrous.        -   Internode length (average).—7 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Compound.        -   Division.—Bi-pinnately compound consisting of two pairs of            tri-lobed lateral leaflets and one tri-lobed terminal            leaflet Compound leaf dimensions 24 cm to 30 cm in length            and 24 cm to 28 cm in width.        -   Leaflet dimensions.—First pair (nearest stem) of lateral            leaflets: Length 13 cm, width 6 cm Second pair of lateral            leaflets: Length 10 cm, width 5.5 cm Terminal leaflet:            Length 10 cm to 11 cm, width 7 cm to 8 cm.        -   Leaflet attachment.—First pair (nearest stem) of lateral            leaflets: Petiolule Second pair of lateral leaflets: Sessile            to rachis Terminal leaflet: Petiolate to rachis.        -   Leaflet shape, base, apex, margin, color, venation, surface            are all identical for lateral leaflets and terminal leaflets            as follows.—Base: Attenuate Apex: Apiculate Margin: Coarsely            and irregularly dentate with tiny short fine silver-gray            hairs, approximately 0.25 mm in length; teeth length 0.5 cm            to 1.5 cm, width 0.4 cm to 0.8 cm; approximately 6 teeth per            margin (12 teeth per leaflet) Color (adaxial surface): 137B            Color (abaxial surface): 138C Venation pattern: Pinnate Vein            color (adaxial surfaces): 138B Vein color (abaxial surface):            137C Leaf surfaces (both surfaces): Glabrous Leaf surfaces            (adaxial surfaces): Glabrous Leaf attachment: Petiolate            Petiole shape: Sulcate Petiole dimensions: 6 cm in length            and 6 mm in width at stem Petiole color: Adaxial surface is            152A, abaxial surface is 138C Petiole surfaces: Glabrous.        -   Compound leaf rachis (from first pair of leaflets to base of            terminal leaflet).—Shape: Sulcate with central midrib            Dimensions: 9 cm in length, 4 mm in width at first pair of            leaflets Color: Adaxial surface is 152A, abaxial surface is            138C Surfaces: Glabrous.        -   First pair of leaflet petiolules.—Shape: Sulcate Dimensions:            0.5 cm to 1 cm in length, 3 mm in width Color: Adaxial            surface is 152A, abaxial surface is 138C Surfaces: Glabrous.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type and shape.—Cactus-type globose            inflorescence whose ray flowers (appearing as petals) are            rolled for approximately half of their length and are flat            at the base.        -   Arrangement.—The ray flowers are arranged in whorls            surrounding a central cluster of disc florets.        -   Aspect.—Facing upward and outward.        -   Inflorescence quantity.—15 to 20 buds and flowers per            2-liter container plant.        -   Dimensions of inflorescence.—10 cm to 15 cm in diameter and            10 cm to 12 cm in height.        -   Blooming season.—Summer and fall.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—4 to 5 days.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Fragrance of inflorescence.—None observed.        -   Peduncle.—Dimensions (average): 12 cm in length and 0.40 cm            in diameter Shape: Cylindrical Surface: Glabrous Strength:            Extremely stiff Color: Ranges between N144A and 151A.        -   Bud.—Shape: Oblate Dimensions (average): 1.3 cm in height            and 1.3 cm in diameter Surface: Glabrous Appearance:            Semi-glossy Color: 143B at base becoming N144A with streaks            of 42C towards and at apex Apex: Obtuse Base: Truncate.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: 100 to 120            Arrangement: Whorls of 3 to 4 rings Form: Rolled downwards            for approximately half of length; flat at the base;            approximately 4 to 6 ray florets appear as sickle-shaped            petaloids emerging from perimeter of receptacle Dimensions            (average, including corolla tube): 7 cm in length and 0.8 cm            in width Shape: Lanceolate, rolled (recurved) from apex to            approximately midway along length; flat at base Surface            (adaxial and abaxial): Glabrous Apex: Acute, occasionally            notched; depth of notch up to 3 mm Base: Attenuate. Margin:            Entire Color: A fully open inflorescence with all ray            florets fully expanded appears uniformly pale to mid peach            in color; when still opening the inner ray florets are            orange-red in color giving the appearance of a darker eye to            the entire inflorescence Color (ray florets fully expanded,            both surfaces): Ranges between 37C and 37A Color (inner ray            florets opening, still clustered, both surfaces): 33B            Corolla tube, dimensions: 3 mm in length, 1.5 mm in diameter            Corolla tube color: 151D Ray floret venation: Very faint            longitudinal parallel veins, color close to ray floret 37C            to 37A.        -   Disc florets.—Disc diameter: 1.5 to 2.0 cm Quantity of disc            florets: Approximately 36 disc florets per inflorescence            Disc floret dimensions: 1.75 cm in length and 0.10 cm in            width Disc floret color: 187A Petals: 8 in number Petals            fused or unfused: Fused Petal apex: Acute Petal surface            (ventral and dorsal surfaces): Glabrous Receptacle            dimensions: 1 cm in depth and 1.60 cm in diameter Receptacle            surface: Glabrous Receptacle color: 187A.        -   Phyllaries.—Arrangement: Whorl, consisting of three            concentric rings or layers Number: Approximately 72 in total            Shape: Lanceolate Dimensions: Ranging from 22 mm in length            and 9 mm in width (outer ring) to 15 mm in length and 5 mm            in width (inner ring) Thickness (middle of base, elsewhere            tapers to less than 0.5 mm at margin): Ranging from 1.5 mm            (outermost phyllaries) to 1.0 mm (innermost phyllaries)            Color: (adaxial and abaxial surfaces): Predominantly 1D            except narrow elongated triangle 143C at base and extending            to midpoint of phyllary Surface texture: Waxy, glabrous            Appearance: Translucent Apex: Rounded Base: Truncate Margin:            Entire.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—5 in number, fused into tube around style.        -   Stamen length.—5 mm to 6 mm.        -   Stamen color.—166A.        -   Anther.—Connate.        -   Anther color.—23A.        -   Pollen.—Present, large amount.        -   Pollen color.—N163D.        -   Pistil.—One present.        -   Pistil length.—11 mm in length.        -   Stigma form.—Bifid, decurrent.        -   Stigma dimensions.—3 mm in length and 4.50 mm in width            (distance between the two apices).        -   Stigma color.—13B.        -   Ovary position.—Inferior.        -   Ovary color.—150D.        -   Ovary shape.—Rotund.        -   Ovary dimensions.—2 mm in width and 3 mm in height.-   Seed: No seed observed to date

COMPARISON TO COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

The varieties of Dahlia which are considered to most closely resemble‘Peach Flamingo’ are Dahlia ‘Penelope’ (unpatented) and Dahlia ‘ParkRecord’ (unpatented). Whereas the predominant flower color of ‘PeachFlamingo’ is peach, the flowers of ‘Penelope’ and ‘Park Record’ areyellow with a pink edge, and dark orange respectively. Whereas thenatural un-pinched height of ‘Peach Flamingo’ is 40 cm to 50 cm, plantsof ‘Penelope’ and ‘Park Record’ are naturally taller at 70 cm and 60 cmrespectively. Finally, whereas the stems of ‘Peach Flamingo’ are darkgreen in color, the stems of ‘Penelope’ and ‘Park Record’ are black incolor.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘PeachFlamingo’ as described and illustrated herein.